Georgia CommonsHR 1527: House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting; create
Last action March 16, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported
A House resolution would create a ten-member study committee to examine how the Georgia Department of Transportation handles highway construction contracts, including delays caused by utility relocation work.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution sets up the House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting. The committee would look at why highway construction projects in Georgia sometimes run long or over budget, with particular attention to how utility adjustment schedules (the timelines for moving things like power or water lines out of a construction zone) affect project completion times. The Speaker of the House would appoint ten House members to the committee and name one as chairperson. The committee could hold meetings as needed, and members would receive standard legislative allowances for up to five days unless more are approved, paid from the House's existing budget. If the committee reaches findings, it must file a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2026.
What the bill does
- Creates the House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting made up of ten House members appointed by the Speaker.
- Directs the committee to study highway construction contracting issues, including delays tied to utility relocation schedules.
- Authorizes the committee to recommend legislation or other action based on its findings.
- Sets legislative allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8 for committee members, capped at five days unless extended, funded through the House's budget.
- Requires a report to the Clerk of the House if findings are adopted, and sets an abolishment date of December 1, 2026.
Who it affects
Members of the House of Representatives appointed to the committee, the Georgia Department of Transportation, highway construction contractors, and utility companies whose relocation work affects road project timelines.
Why it matters
The study could lead to legislative changes affecting how the Georgia Department of Transportation manages highway contracts and utility relocation timing, which in turn shapes how quickly and cheaply road projects get finished across the state.
Key provisions
- Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on Georgia Department of Transportation Contracting.
- Paragraph 2 sets committee membership at ten House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson.
- Paragraph 3 authorizes the committee to study contracting issues and recommend legislation or other action.
- Paragraph 5 sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days absent additional authorization, funded from the House's appropriated funds.
- Paragraph 6 requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before abolishment.
- Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2026.
From the bill
“examination of the utility adjustment schedule that is used in highway construction contracts in Georgia should be done to determine if such projects could be completed in less time”
“The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.”
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Lauren McDonald (R, HD-026)
- Rick Jasperse (R, HD-011)
- Alan Powell (R, HD-033)
- Don Parsons (R, HD-044)
- Brent Cox (R, HD-028)
- Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)
Topics
- highway construction
- transportation policy
- government oversight
- utility relocation
- state contracting